18th DECEMBER 2025 ENGLISH TNPSC CURRENT AFFAIRS PDF TNPSC SHOUTERS
Memorandum of Understanding signed with Schneider Electric Group in the presence of Chief Minister M.K. Stalin
- In the presence of Chief Minister M.K. Stalin, a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed today at the Secretariat, during an event organized by the Department of Industries, Investment Promotion and Commerce. The MoU is for the expansion of Schneider Electric India Private Limited (SEIPL) plants located in Chennai and Coimbatore, and the establishment of a new plant for batteries and cooling solutions by Schneider Electric IT Business India Private Limited (SEITB) in Hosur, with an investment of Rs. 718 crore, creating employment opportunities for 663 people.
- The Schneider Electric Group is engaged in the manufacturing of electrical and electronic equipment and power management solutions. Having operated in Tamil Nadu for approximately 30 years, the group, to further strengthen its presence, signed this MoU today in the presence of the Chief Minister to expand its smart manufacturing plants in Chennai and Coimbatore and establish a new state-of-the-art manufacturing plant in Hosur.
- Prime Minister Narendra Modi was on a two-day visit to Oman yesterday. Today, this agreement was signed in the presence of the two leaders. Through this agreement, 98.08% of the goods that India exports to Oman will be exempted from import duty.
- Similarly, 77.79% of the goods that Oman exports to India will be exempted from duty. Prime Minister Modi has stated that this is a historic agreement. This agreement provides customs duty exemption for 98.08% of the items in Oman's tariff lines.
- This accounts for 99.38% of India's export value. India's key export sectors, including textiles, leather, footwear, gems and jewellery, engineering goods, plastics, agricultural products, pharmaceuticals, medical devices, and automobiles, will benefit from complete customs duty exemption.
- Driven by a surge in engineering and electronic goods exports, exports, which had declined in October, rose by 19.37 percent in November to $3.813 billion. This is the highest import figure since May ($3.873 billion) and the fastest monthly growth in the last 3.5 years.
- In the month under review, the country's imports decreased by 1.88 percent to $6.266 billion. The main reason for this was the decline in imports of gold, crude oil, coal, and coke. In that month, gold imports fell by 59.15 percent to $400 million, and crude oil imports fell by 11.27 percent to $1.411 billion.
- Due to the decrease in imports, the trade deficit in November was $2.453 billion, the lowest in the previous five months. The previous lowest trade deficit was $1.878 billion in June. It had peaked at $4.168 billion in October.
- In the April-November period of the current financial year, exports increased by 2.62 percent to $29.207 billion, and imports increased by 5.59 percent to $51.521 billion. The trade deficit stands at $22.314 billion. Despite the situation where the US had imposed a 50 percent additional tariff on Indian goods, the country's exports increased last November.
- In that month, petroleum product exports increased by 11.65 percent to $3.93 billion. Exports of tea, coffee, iron ore, cashews, oil meals, dairy products, handicrafts, seafood, and leather products also increased. Exports of rice, oilseeds, carpets, and plastic products declined.
- Last November, the United Arab Emirates, Netherlands, China, Britain, Germany, Singapore, Bangladesh, Saudi Arabia, and Hong Kong were India's major export markets. In the first 8 months of the current financial year, exports have increased to approximately $270 billion.
- In the same period of the 2024-25 financial year, it was $248.56 billion. The report states that India's exports of goods and services have increased by 5.83 percent from $533.16 billion to $562.13 billion.
- The Developed India Rural Employment and Livelihood Guarantee Scheme Bill, also known as VP G Ram Ji, which aims to bring about changes in the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme, was introduced in the Lok Sabha.
- Condemning the removal of Mahatma Gandhi's name from the scheme, MPs from the INDIA alliance parties, including Mallikarjun Kharge, T.R. Baalu, and Kanimozhi, staged a protest march within the Parliament complex. When Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan replied to the bill in the Lok Sabha, a major uproar ensued as the opposition parties collectively rose and chanted slogans.
- Continuing his speech, Chauhan said that Mahatma Gandhi's name was not included at the beginning of the rural employment guarantee scheme.
- The opposition parties tore up copies of the bill in front of the minister and chanted slogans. Amidst the ensuing uproar, the VP G Ramji Bill was passed by a voice vote. Following this, the Lok Sabha was adjourned for the day.
- The World Squash Cup tournament, organized by World Squash, SRFI, and the Tamil Nadu Sports Development Authority, began on June 9th at the Chennai Express Mall complex. Teams from 12 countries, including defending champions Egypt, Iran, Australia, and Brazil, participated.
- India, which advanced to the final, faced the Hong Kong China team in the final match. In the opening match, senior player Joshna Chinappa defeated Hong Kong's Ka Yi Lee 3-1.
- In the men's singles, Abhay Singh competed against Hong Kong's Alex Lau. Abhay Singh won 3-0 in 19 minutes. In the second women's singles match, Anahat Singh and Tomato Ho competed.
- Anahat won 3-0. With this victory, the Indian team created history by winning the World Championship title for the first time.
- Prime Minister Narendra Modi has been honored with the highest award in Oman, The First Class of the Order of Oman. Prime Minister Modi has earned the distinction of being the leader to receive this award after world leaders including Nelson Mandela and Queen Elizabeth.
- Prime Minister Modi said that he dedicates this high honor to the age-old friendship between the two countries and to the mutual love and affection of the 1.4 billion people of India and Oman.
